Tennessee Titans: stock up – stock down
By P. L. Colter
The Tennessee Titans are now at the halfway point of training camp, and players are starting to make a name for themselves…both good and bad.
Today we unveil this week’s edition of stock up…stock down.
Stock Up
*Zach Mettenberger (QB)
After not hearing a peep out of him the first two weeks of camp, backup qb Zach Mettenberger spoke loud and clear in his preseason debut. Mettenberger was 8/11 for 129 yards, with a 30 yard touchdown strike to receiver Rico Richardson. He also had an interception. Social media even sounded off during Friday night’s game. ESPN analysts Ron Jaworsky and Louis Riddick took to twitter…praising Mettenberger while urging qb deprived teams to contact Tennessee asap. The Titans are unlikely to entertain such requests. After last season, I’m sure that coach Whisenhunt understands the value of having quality depth at that position.
*David Cobb (RB)
After spending the majority of training camp in the infirmary or the doghouse, rookie running back David Cobb made the most impressive debut of any new Titan. Cobb led the team with 53 yards on 11 carries (4.8 avg), and showed off his power when finishing off runs. His performance got the attention of coach Whisenhunt, who will now give him an opportunity to run with the one’s.
*Justin Hunter (WR)
Don’t believe that Justin Hunter’s stock is up after his tumultuous start to training camp? Then ask coach Whiz, who echoed those sentiments while addressing the media today. Receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, who’s been Hunter’s loudest critic, also praised his maturation and performance a couple of weeks ago. This is an encouraging sign for the Titans’ passing attack, unless we hear from the NFL that Hunter will miss games.
Stock Down
*Starting Defense:
I know it was just the first preseason game, and I know that Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are special players, but that starting defensive unit looked eerily similar to the one we saw last season. The one that finished near the bottom of the league. There was little to no resistance as the Falcons moved the ball at will. The starting defense will need to rebound in a preseason game…not practice…to even be eligible for a stock rise.
*Bishop Sankey (RB)
Sankey’s performance Friday night also looked eerily similar to the one we saw in 2014, and that’s a concern. His paltry 15 yards on 8 carries was even more concerning. That’s less than two yards a carry….
Less than two yards a carry….
And since we’re doing math…Cobb’s stock rising plus Sankey’s stock falling equals a new starting running back this fall if Sankey doesn’t turn things around in a hurry. He too, has to get it done in a preseason game to be eligible for a stock rise.
*Andy Levitre (LG)
Coming into the season, left guard Andy Levitre had yet to live up to the hefty $48 million free agent deal he signed in 2013. And if today is any indication, then things are about to go from bad to worse. ESPN Staff Writer Paul Kuharsky reported earlier today that Ken Whisenhunt did some shuffling with his starting offensive line in today’s practice…and the majority of the time that unit did not include Levitre. I’ll just leave that right there. Stock down.
Next: Marcus Mariota gets solid B from NFL Insider Bill Polian